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User: whitelabrat

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  1. Tradeoffs to consider on U.S. Government Crippled by Sex, Gaming Sites · · Score: 1

    Although the report is likely accurate, I think it is too easy to see internet browsing as loss productivity. I think a useful report should also include how much productivity is gained by providing uncontrolled internet access. Furthermore, how many of us are multitasking in a computing environment?

    For example. I may be browsing through eBay for an hour, while I am doing some tech writing, and also doing some sys admin tasks.

    I think the report is too narrowly focused, but at the same time it wouldn't hurt to set up site-blocking tools to reduce the temptation to goof off too much.

    Like posting to /.

    But then again the cost of internet access control software may cost more than loss productivity too. It ain't cheap stuff!

  2. Good and Bad on Analog Revival Means Vinyl Will Outlive CD · · Score: 1

    I've been looking into buying a Thorens or some sort of belt drive turntable, but it's expensive to get better than CD sound quality. Good Analog will never be beaten in my opinion.

  3. Re:Sounds like the client was the primar one at fa on The FBI Software Upgrade That Wasn't · · Score: 1

    Problem number one started by bringing in contractors. Contracts are best for short term trash and burn projects. This size of project needs to be done by government employees who don't need to answer to anyone and who will be around long enough to really know the system and maintain it over the system's lifecycle. A small team of programmers, admins, and a great project manager who will make it their career to see this sort of thing through is needed.

    There is a real vaccum for talented contract employees too. Most folks are just sucked in by these body shops and then are asked to do jobs without any planning, good management, or experience. I know because I've been one! It sucks because your just a warm body to mop up cash for places like SAIC.

    The Gov't needs to get off the contract wagon and bring in people who are willing to take ownership of what they do. And the Gov't shouldn't pay a dime to a contractor until the friggin thing works!!!

  4. Ugh. on AMD Slashing Prices Still Not Enough? · · Score: 1

    There it goes again. What was a really nice computer a couple months ago... worthless. My 3800+ X2 is dirt. Fast dirt.

  5. Re:Strange question on U.S. Service Personnel Data Stolen · · Score: 1

    I agree. The "gov't" is made up of Joe Citizen itself. All the policy in the world cannot trump the one ding-dong who thinks it would be great to bring work home. This person had the trust, and access to the data and foolishly or intentionally abused their priviledge. It's likely the person isn't even a gov employee, with so much contracting going on.

    Who knows. But you can't blame a whole institution for the faults of a few people.

  6. Chinese company, made in USA on Lenovo & Customer Perception · · Score: 1

    The crazy thing about the Lenovo Thinkpads is that they are still manufactured in Morrisville North Carolina last time I checked. They are likely more American than the HP's or Toshibas?

  7. Oh well! on OpenBSD Project in Financial Danger · · Score: 1

    I don't see the fuss. If I needed SSH enough to pay for it, I'd buy SSH Communications Security's Tecita server/client. Open source development is typically community driven, and thus should be expense free aside from hosting the distribution. Of course that could get expensive if a lot of folks are downloading, but aren't there mirrors out there? I don't buy it. (apology for cheesy pun)

  8. Re:Israelis Aren't "just fine" In Tech Industries on U.S. Investigating Sale of Snort as Security Risk · · Score: 1

    Having been "Federal Govt", I'm curious to know what version of Snort or Sourcefire you think they use? The one with little aliens watching holograph screens?

    You watch too much TV.

  9. Duh? on U.S. Investigating Sale of Snort as Security Risk · · Score: 1

    Checkpoint is a security company that makes money. Sourcefire is a company that makes money. Money + Money = More Money. I doubt Checkpoint has any ill intentions.

    Besides. EVERYONE has access to Snort's underlying technologies. You can download it at will!

    I'm particularly concerned about the hypocracy in the House and Senate these days. Globalize, but isolate?

  10. Amiga 1000! on What Was Your First Computer? · · Score: 1

    My first was an Amiga 1000 with the 512k extended RAM? That thing was a smoker in it day. We had it pimped out with two floppies and an extra 2MB ram later on.

  11. 30 percent is a lot on Is Verizon a Network Hog? · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As a FIOS customer, I'll tell you with certainty that it makes sense that 80% of their fibre optic networks would be used for their services. That's because the optic line running into my house replaces my copper based phone line and provides my internet service. Eventually television services will be included. With fibre optics running into my home, 80% usage for phone/tv/etc leaves me with more bandwidth than I'll need for now!

  12. Random Destinations on New Honda Accord Drives Itself · · Score: 1

    On a short trip, somewhere in America...

    Lemme see, auto pilot on. *Yawn* Just a couple winks....

    WTF Idaho? What am I doing in Idaho!

  13. Resource Limiting on How Do You Job-Hunt If You Work Overtime? · · Score: 2, Insightful

    One important thing that many folks learn on the job it to make their coworkers aware of resource limits. I can't do 200%. So stop doing two people's jobs, stop working long hours, and pressure your employer for compensation for your extra effort. I doubt anyone would fault you for being "let go" from a job because your employer has unrealistic expectations. Most likely as a recent grad, you are young and you do have more free time than you realize, so a couple extra hours won't hurt now and then. Those of us who have a family with small children can attest that, though worthwhile, there isn't time for extracuricular work, chores, or free time.

    Set you limits, and take time for yourself. Besides, what do you care if your sweatshop boss gets upset if you leave the office for two-three hours for a job interview?

  14. Re:Nothing lasts forever on Burned CDs Last 5 years Max -- Use Tape? · · Score: 2, Interesting

    That's right. I've done quite a bit of research on this, and the fact is that the dye based CD should last about 70 years if care is taken with the storage. Interestingly enough the aluminum based cd's can run into corrosion problems that the dye based cd-r aren't subject to. Most DVD-R's seem to use a high quality dye too.

    I think the main issues with cd/dvd recordable media are poor burning and storage. I don't get the part about magnetic media being better, when you consider that an unused VHS tape only has a 20year shelf life before going kaput. I've see a lot of tape based media where after aging a couple years the ferrous material starts flaking off. Hmmm.

  15. Happy Day! on Web Based Rhapsody Targets Linux · · Score: 1

    I've been using Rhapsody for quite a while now and I'm VERY happy that I can use it on something other than Windows! I'll be curious to try it out on my Sun box to see if it can work on a ULTRAsparc.

  16. Common Criteria evaluation on Building Secure Computers? · · Score: 1

    Find out what the appropriate Common Criteria evaluation rating should be. For example Trusted Solaris 8 is something like EAL4. You'll also probably want the OS to support RBAC too.

  17. Re:Naked Fiber? on Next-Gen Broadband Primer · · Score: 1

    YES! I'm VoIP and no landline with FIOS which is in essense pppoe over fiber.

  18. Already next gen! on Next-Gen Broadband Primer · · Score: 1

    I just bumped up to Verizon fibre to the home (FIOS) yesterday. Smokes my cable modem and it's cheaper! I don't have to rent or buy my own modem... and it shouldn't be affected by things like lighting or nuclear bomb radiation.

  19. DTV on old TV on Who Cares if Analog TV Goes Dark? · · Score: 1

    I picked up a cheap DTV tuner on ebay and plan to drop cable internet and tv in favor for FIOS. I can get about four channels, not counting the sub-channels. And its crystal clear and free! The old Panasonic TU-DST51A plugs into the standard def 4:3 tv no problem.

  20. Re:Windows Server 2003 SERVICE PACK 1 has a firewa on What is the Best Firewall for Servers? · · Score: 1

    I agree. This is a good although risky choice as the major update may cause other problems. I personally would recommend the server edition of Black Ice if the W2K3 SP1 isn't an option.

  21. I work for NIH on HHS Signs Major Linux Deal With Novell · · Score: 1

    That wouldn't surprise me, but at NIH we're dealing with a research environment where a lot of folks are already using lots of linux, Solaris, and OS X. I use Suse myself. It will actually be used here as a serious alternative to Microsoft, Apple and Sun, but it won't neccessarily replace anything. Rather it will be complimentary. Folks will use whatever platform best suites their fuctions.

  22. Value of hands on on Critical Shortage of IT Workers in Coming Years · · Score: 1

    I think that folks should focus more on the hands-on sides of IT. In some having an actual warm body in the office is irreplaceable. Granted you can outsource application development to a bunch of foreign drones (which I think will wreak havoc on our economy by becoming more dependant upon foreign interests) but you won't likely see that multipurpose sysadmin/helpdesk/programmer/dba guy hurting for work. Smaller operations often need someone who can wear a lot of hats and fill the niches where COTS is too expensive. Even more so the IT administrative folks are very valueable here on US soil too. IP Project management, tech writing, security, can't be effectively outsourced in my opinion, because they work best with eye-to-eye interaction.

  23. Speaking of Ddos... on Taking on an Online Extortionist · · Score: 1

    So much for the article.

  24. Tar baby! on Handling Viruses in an Uncontrolled Network? · · Score: 1

    I wouldn't sweat the infected computers too much. Sniff 'em out and shut down their net ports. Meanwhile Tarpit 'em. Go to bed happy.

  25. Re:Kerry would've done the same thing on White House: No Kerry Supporters at IATC Meeting · · Score: 1

    Absolutely not. You see this is Washington politics at it's best. The rest of the country just doesn't get it. It's been this way... pretty much always, and in every government. You get into a place of power and you want your homeys in da houze. Otherwise your ass is gone. Makes sense to me.